Journey Times Reduced Thanks To Car Ban

Updated : Jul 21, 2009

Dublin City Councils Tim Brick said the College Green bus corridor, due to open next Monday, "will lessen traffic in a major bottleneck, resulting in a reduction in journey times for commuters, shoppers and visitors".

He also insisted Dublin will remain "open and accessible" to private motorists despite the car ban.

Mr Brick said: "The College Green Bus Corridor is designed to ease the flow of public transport through College Green.

"It will benefit pedestrians, while also improving road conditions for cyclists due to reduced traffic volumes in the area. For cars users, the city remains open and accessible.

"Individuals may have to change their normal routes Monday to Friday during morning and evening peak periods when the college Green Bus Corridor is in operation.

"We know the new corridor will take some getting used to, as is the case with all changes of this type.

"However, these new arrangements offer commuters and shoppers access to quicker and more reliable bus and taxi services -- a benefit to us all."

The bus corridor will operate between 7am and 10am, and 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday. Only buses, taxis and cyclists will be able to travel through College Green in either direction during those times.

Paddy Doherty, business development manager with Dublin Bus, said: "In recent years, bus speeds and reliability along the route between Parnell Square and St Stephen's Green/Dame Street have been unacceptable.

"At times, it can take buses up to 40 minutes to travel the length of O'Connell Street, through to Kildare Street.

"The College Green Bus Corridor will reduce travel times for public transport users who use the buses that pass through College Green at peak times.

"Dublin Bus is delighted to offer a special City Centre Fare which, for just 50c, allows travel in an area from Parnell Square to St Stephen's Green."

PJ Timmins, president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said: "The College Green Bus Corridor provides faster and more reliable public transport, allowing more commuters to switch from their cars.